JAN 16 Clayton Pioneer 2015 by Pioneer Publishers

IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com

January 16, 2015

925.672.0500

Station 11 is back in action Community celebration planned Jan. 31 DAVE SHUEY

PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer

MAYOR’S CORNER

Recycling numbers down; aim higher No news is good news. I have been wracking my brain trying to come up with some news and information to impart and it is difficult because, gosh darn, we are one of the safest and best run cities in California! But here we go anyway. Recycling. It does baffle me that in 2015 we as a country, state and city do not recycle as well as we should. Does anyone Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

See Mayor, page 8

CCCFPD STATION 11 IN CLAYTON HAS BEEN VIRTUALLY CLOSED DOWN FOR TWO YEARS, one of seven stations closed across the county, caualties of massive budget cuts following the 2008 recession. A federal grant and an improving economy will bring full staff back to Station 11 beginning 16; the only one of the seven to reopen.

2014 Year in Review PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer

Clayton may seem like a sleepy little town, but the news and events of 2014 showed a vibrant, sometimes divided community that reflected the spirit and passion of its residents. It was the year a little white ball called a pallino brought the community together, despite a fissure caused by unrest at the local acclaimed

Kent Ipsen throws out first pallino at Bocce Park opening

high school. It was also the year the town celebrated a milestone birthday, and a young girl named Katie-Grace stole our hearts while getting a new one for herself. Here is a glimpse at 2014’s top local stories. Bocce, anyone? Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Clayton Business and Community Association and the generosity of the Skipolini family and others, four bocce courts were installed downtown adjacent to the remodeled Skipolini’s restaurant. The Clayton Bocce League was born, and between the popular summer and fall leagues, more than 800 players participated. Next year, the league will add teams, with the possibility of 1,400 players. CVCHS’ Great Divide. Last fall’s five-year charter extension, a football team that played for the state championship, an appearance by the executive director before Congress — not to mention sterling academic achievements — should be the stories at Clayton Valley Charter High School for

5th Annual CBCA Rib Cook Off has become a town tradition

2014. But instead, a simmering feud between a popular Clayton Valley Charter High School teacher and the school’s administration resulted in the ouster of Pat Middendorf, one of the leaders of the original charter movement, and created a divide among the usually close-knit school community. Many in the community called for the firing of Executive Director David Linzey, and several members of the board resigned in protest. Much of the turmoil has been played out on local blogs and social media sites. Amazing Grace. The Clayton community was awed by the courage of 11-year old KatieGrace Groebner, who on June 21 underwent a rare heart and double lung transplant. The family was buoyed by the support of the locals, who stepped up to help with fundraising and awareness. Her surgery went “great, without a hitch and no complications,” dad John said. “Better than expected, and the best Father’s Day ever.” After a tough but “remarkable” recovery, Katie Grace, who was born with pulmonary hypertension, an incurable disease, finally returned home from Stanford’s Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital in October. Happy Birthday, Clayton. On March 3, 1964, 80 percent of Clayton’s registered voters had voted to incorporate as a city. Two weeks later, on March 18, the first city council met in Endeavor Hall under the

See 2014 Review, pg 3

Clayton residents have good reason to get fired up — but in a good way. When they wake up the morning of Jan. 16, they can be comfortable knowing that fire safety is back to normal, thanks to the reopening, full-time, of local Station 11. Following the graduation of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s Academy 47 on Thursday, Jan. 15, the local firehouse — which has been down to minimal use for the past two years — was again fully staffed with three full-time firefighters, 24/7, said Battalion Chief Lon Goetsch.

See Station 11, page 8

Benevolence Program has a Clayton family at each end

MIKE’S AUTO BODY FOUNDER, MIKE ROSE (left) with daughter Regan, wife Laurie and son Brennan, began the company’s car give-away program 14 years ago.

From the day Mike Rose graduated from Clayton Valley High School in 1972 he has been on a mission to make the world a better place. His first entrepreneurial effort began modestly with five employees in a 3,000-square-foot facility. Today it has grown to become a corporation with 13 locations in the Bay Area. While this level of success would be enough to satisfy almost anyone, the Rose family and their employees have created an institution out of their See Benevolence, page 4

Western themed wedding makes history at museum TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

The Joel Clayton home saw history in the making last month when curator Renee Wing and Jeff Crady were married in the parlor at the museum on Main Street.. Some 40 friends and family packed the tiny house for the ceremony officiated by Janet Easton and Charmetta Mann, long-time members of the Clayton Historical Society and friends of the couple. Both musicians, Renee and

See Wedding, page 2

CLAYTON MUSEUM CURATOR, RENEE WING, and Jeff Crady exchanged vows in a small ceremony at the Clayton Museum on Dec 13.

Postal Customer ECRWSS PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA 94517 PERMIT 190

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

January 16, 2015

Around Town Options for Women to open mobile clinic Options for Women is partnering with the Knights of Columbus, Queen of All Saints Council #13195 in Concord to open their first mobile clinic, East Bay Imaging. On Wednesday, Dec. 3, Knights of Columbus donated $1,200 to assist Options in purchasing a mobile cart which is needed to hold the portable ultrasound equipment in the exam room. Options for Women is a pro-life, faith-based organization that has been serving the community since 1984. The purpose for East Bay Imaging is to expand Options’ services, enabling them to reach underserved women in the community. East Bay Imaging offers

Pete Laurence receives award

PRESENTING THE GIFT to Options with the Respect Life Committee are Bill DeSmet and Arnie Knipp, project coordinator. Representing Options for Women Executive Director Leslie Thaxton, Aimee Harris, nurse manager and Bill Whitford, driver and maintenance supervisor.

free ultrasound, pregnancy testing and verification for Social Services, pregnancy

options counseling, and limited screening for Chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Clayton real estate broker, Pete Laurence was recognized for a “lifetime of exemplary achievement” by the Contra Costa Realtors Association at the annual installation dinner dance at Blackhawk Country Club on Jan. 9. Laurence, a broker with Better Homes Realty was honored for a career that spans more than four decades. He has chaired many Board committees, including Ethics and has been active in community service. He served 16 years on the Clayton City Council, including multiple terms as mayor. On hand to congratulate the family patriarch were wife, Sheri, two of their three children and six grandchildren. Son Todd and daughter-in-law Dee joined the celebration by Skype.

Wedding, from page 1

LONG-TIME HISTORICAL SOCIETY

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS of the bride and groom, Charmetta Mann (left) and Janet Easton, took the lead at the history-making wedding at the Clayton Museum Dec. 13. In keeping with the Old West theme, Charmetta wore the buckskin pants she made when she was 13 and Janet sported her great uncle Jack Stockfleth’s 100-year-old black vest.

Jeff first met in San Francisco in the 1980s when they were in the same band, but they married different partners. The marriages lasted a long time, says Renee. “But they eventually broke up and we found each other.” They became engaged on Valentine’s Day 2013. They first planned a fall wedding at the top of Glacier Point in Yosemite in 2013. But the massive Rim Fire closed the park and dashed those plans. So, they moved the date a month and looked to Mt. Diablo only to be burned out again by the Morgan Fire.

It was then Renee thought of the museum where she has spent the most time since 2005. “We knew it would be decorated beautifully for the holidays and Jeff loved the idea,” Renee said. “We put it together with about three months prep time.” One evening during the early planning stage, Jeff and Renee were visiting Janet and Charmetta at their home. The four were discussing wedding plans when Charmetta and Renee flashed on the idea of asking Janet to officiate. “We looked at Janet and then back at each other and just knew Janet

Happy New Year 2015 1262 Shell Circle, Clayton

Photo courtesy of Sheri Laurence

Clayton Realtor Pete Laurence was joined by son-in-law Alain Inugai and daughter Alana, wife Sheri and daughter Alyssa and son-in-law Jamie Bowron at the Contra Costa Realtors Assoc. dinner where Laurence received the Emeritus Award.

Clayton actress stars in ‘Cinderella’ DVMS student, Ellie Taylor will take the lead role in the Youth Theatre Company’s production of “Cinderella,” Jan. 23

should perform the ceremony. So, Janet went online and got herself ordained as a Universal Life Church minister.” Renee’s and Jeff ’s vows were taken from the lyrics of a song Renee wrote for him in the early days of their courtship, “A Perfect Love.” Jeff and Renee have been part of the fabric of the Clayton community since 2002. Their daughters attended Mt. Diablo Elementary, Diablo View Middle School and Clayton Valley High. They live in Dana Farms. “Having the wedding at the museum was the right choice,” Renee said. “It sparkled like a jewel with all the lights and decorations.”

and 24 at the Del Valle Theatre in Walnut Creek. Ellie was bitten by the stage bug when she was in the 4th grade at MDES where she played the lead in the school musical. This is her first production with the Youth Theatre Company. For performance times and ticket information, call (925) 943-SHOW.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

2014 Review, from page 1 leadership of Mayor Bob Hoyer, who would go on to serve 16 years on the council. Fifty years later to the day, on March 3, 2014, the city council once again met in Endeavor Hall; this time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of incorporation. Again, Hoyer took his place on the dais—this time as a guest with a standing ovation. Finally a “Full House” at CPD. With the addition of three new officers in 2014, the Clayton Police Department is now fully staffed, said CPD Chief Chris Thorsen. Lee Borman, John Fraga and Garrett Wayne joined the force within the past six months. In addition, longtime Officer Jason Shaw was promoted to sergeant, Thorsen said. Including Thorsen, the staff of officers protecting Clayton now numbers 11. Finally, at full complement, the department now has time to explore new projects, Thorsen said. He is beginning to research the use of body-worn cameras and the data storage and management requirements that follow

their use. Data collected from the cameras is evidence and must be stored and protected, Thorsen said. “You can’t just upload it to your iTunes account.” Ugly Eagles Soar. Undefeated Diablo Valley Athletic League and North Coast Section champion Clayton Valley Charter High School won its most important home game ever, defeating a tough Oakdale team in the California Division II Regional Bowl in December, which sent the Ugly Eagles to the CIF State Bowl Dec. 20, where they lost to Redlands East Valley. Clayton Valley was No. 1 in the state in scoring, rushing and total offense. Nationally, the Ugly Eagles were No. 2 in rushing and fourth in scoring with 110 touchdowns. New Pioneer debuted in September In September, Pioneer Newspapers began a new phase when the 11-year-old Clayton Pioneer was joined by an all-new Concord Pioneer in bringing quality community news coverage to both cities.

Photo courtesy of the Groebner Family

KATIE-GRACE GROEBNER with dad, John, received a rare heart and double lung transplant in June.

The Concord Pioneer publishes monthly. The paper is delivered to 28,000 homes and businesses in Concord during the last week of the month. Gimme Some Water. It’s no secret that California has an arid, Mediterranean climate, but 2014’s unseasonably dry weather had many residents shivering in fear of the D-word: drought. Although local water districts refrained from implementing severe drought restrictions, residents were asked to conserve water. A dry summer and fall just added to worries, although the recent December rains — and some long range forecast models — have eased some worries. But experts say it’s indeed a drought, and it’s going to take a lot of wet weather to beat it. Ballot Bruhaha. Mrgan Territory/Marsh Creek residents were in for a surprise when the East Contra Costa Fire had to reissue some 44,000 ballots already mailed to property owners for a special election to fund fire service because the assessments were calculated incorrectly, Fire Chief Hugh Henderson announced in August. The assessments were based on faulty and incomplete data received from two county agencies. The district closed the Brentwood station in July and was on a timeline to close the Knightsen station in November. Mercurio pleads guilty to felony DUI. In July, Jessica Mercurio, a 22-year-old Clayton woman, charged with a felony DUI after hitting and critically injuring a motorcyclist in 2013, appeared in a Martinez courtroom where she changed her plea from not guilty to guilty and was sentenced to three years in state prison. Mercurio was driving with a blood alcohol nearly four times the legal limit on June 27, 2013, when she hit 51-year-old Mark

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Saving an endangered species. After embarking on an African Safari, Clayton’s Wendy Blakely returned home to start a foundation to save Africa’s endangered “painted dogs.” Blakely returns to Africa each year. There, she has a room of her own in the art center, and each weekend she takes a drive in the park, where she occasionally sees the results of her organization’s work in the slowly growing packs. Newcomers take home Rib Cook-off Trophies. Twenty-six teams entered the fifth annual Clayton Club’s Rib Cook-off in August — a fundraiser for the Clayton Business and Community Association — and when the smoke cleared, the winners gleefully accepted their trophies. Tied for second place were Ferrell Family BBQ and Half Fast, led by Greg Ferrell and Stephen Lim, respectively. Top prize went to Third Coast Smoke, led by newcomer Colin Mendenhall. And the coveted People’s Choice Award, voted on by a selection of the afternoon’s diners, went to newcomers The Cunning Hams, Tony Ucciferri and Walid AbdulRahim.

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town anchor. Moresi also owns Moresi’s Chophouse, which opened in 2007. Over the past 20 years not a lot has changed inside the restaurant or on the menu. Mudville started with 11 TVs and still has 11, although now they are flat screen and high definition. Their busiest days are St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo and Super Bowl Sunday; nobody off, everybody works day.” The restaurant’s biggest day ever was St. Paddy’s Day 2012 (“nice weather on a Saturday”). Girl Scout Founds First Fitness Fair. Seventeen-year-old Sarah Owen wants to be a physical therapist, and dedicate her life to helping people stay physically fit. She jump-started her career goals by organizing the first Clayton 5K Run and Fitness Fair on Saturday, July 19, at Clayton Community Park. She put on the event as a project for her Girl Scout Gold Award. More than 300 adults and kids– some in strollers–gathered in the early morning for the town’s first 5K Run and Fitness Fair. The turnout far surpassed expectations for Sarah.

Tomaszewski head on before crashing into a light pole in front of Clayton City Hall. Tomaszewski was critically injured in the crash. He lost the sight in his left eye and is deaf in one ear. He was hospitalized for five months. In June, a year after the crash, he returned to his job as a surgical technician at the Sequoia Surgery Center in Walnut Creek. Cancer claims popular volunteer. Clayton mourned the loss of resident Christy Harris, who died in March after a long battle with cancer. She was just three weeks short of her 50th birthday. She was diagnosed in December 2012 when an annoying pain in her hip turned out to be a fastgrowing tumor. The spirited mother of three mounted a two-year battle that included leadership posts in Clayton’s Relay for Life, the two day event sponsored by the American Cancer Association. Ed’s: Clayton’s Home Base. In Clayton, there is almost always joy in Mudville. That is, in Ed’s Mudville Grill, which on May 3 celebrated 20 years as a popular, family-friendly down-

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IN JULY, SOME 300 KIDS AND ADULTS PARTICIPATED IN THE CLAYTON 5K RUN AND FITNESS FAIR. The event was planned and executed by Girl Scout Sarah Owen for her Gold Award and is expected to be an annual community event.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

January 16, 2015

Club News The Clayton Valley Garden Club Blossoms for Barbara ready for Valentine’s event The Clayton Valley Garden Club is preparing for its fourth annual Blossoms for Barbara event. Last year, the club donated 850 festively decorated flowering plants for Valentine’s Day to those under hospice care, patients in assisted living and convalescent locations, women’s shelters, Martinez Veterans Affairs hospice patients and the elderly and shut-in recipients of Meals on Wheels in the Contra Costa area. The growing success of Blossoms for Barbara is possible with support from local clubs, businesses, individuals and growers. The Garden Club welcomes monetary donations

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The Clayton Valley Garden Club meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month, February through November, at Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center St., Clayton. Visitors are always welcome. For more information, go to claytonvalleygardenclub.org.

Linda Manss Karp, Lew Thompson and Carla Thompson stage plants for decorating and delivery at Diamond Terrace during last year’s Blossoms for Barbara program.

Clayton Valley Woman’s Club donates to the Bay Area Crisis Nursery at holiday luncheon The CV Woman’s Club held their annual holiday luncheon at the Oakhurst Country Club on Dec. 9. The Bay Area Crisis Nursery was the recipient of donations amounting to over $970 (including clothing, diapers, formula and lotions), which were presented to Sister Ann Weltz from the nursery. Entertainment was provided by popular local vocalists Mike Spellman and Ella Wolfe. The Clayton Valley Woman’s Club is made up of community-minded women dedicated to meeting the needs of community and nurturing of friendships within the club. They meet at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month, except July and August, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord. Guests are welcome to attend meetings and social events. 672-7947 or claytonvalleywomansclub.org.

Kathy Hester and Merle Whitburn, CV Woman’s Club co-presidents, present donations to the Bay Area Crisis Nursery.

The Clayton Library seeks art exhibit liaison

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again this year to touch even more hearts by giving 1000 plants to those so much in need of a little kindness. Plants will be delivered the week of Feb. 9. Linda Manss Karp, garden club member and floral designer, created the event to honor her late mother, Barbara Manss.

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The liaison works with the volunteer coordinator to solicit local artists’ work and display the artwork at the library. No experience and minimal hours are required. Contact Arlene Nielsen, library volunteer coordinator, at nielsenjanc@aol.com or (925) 673-9777.

Benevolence, from page 1

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Clayton’s Groebner family were among the beneficiaries of Mike’s Auto Body 2014 Benevolence Program. From left Kathy Groebner, daughter Savanha, husband John (standing); In front, Katie-Grace and grandmother Janet.

generosity. Mike’s Auto Body’s Benevolence Program has become an event that generates so much good will many recipients have a hard time believing their luck. The program gives away vehicles refurbished to pristine condition to folks who could use a leg up. What started as a philanthropic way of doing business has morphed over 14 years into a community event that changes people’s lives. Mike’s Marketing Manager, Sal Contreras, whittles down the hun-

dreds of applications the program receives, looking to find people who “are out there really trying to make a difference.” Once the applications are down to a manageable number, Contreras turns the process over to the technicians and staff to make the final decision. Once a recipient is chosen, every person who worked on each vehicle is gathered together to make the award call on speakerphone. In 2014, Mike’s partnered with the Vintage Valley Blue Star

Moms to give away an additional car to a U.S. veteran on Nov. 11. Staff Sgt. Kyle Pearson of Travis Air Force Base will use the Hyundai Sonata he received to take his son to Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto. Incredibly, three of this year’s six vehicles went to families who commute to Packard Children’s Hospital, including Clayton’s Groebner family. The Groebners relocated from Minnesota so that their now 12-year-old daughter could receive treatment for Pulmonary Hypertension. Katie Grace underwent a heart-lung transplant in June, 2014, making her one of only 94 children in the country to have undergone the rare procedure. Kathy Groebner had never heard of the auto program. She says she was “floored when they called. People had written in on our behalf and I couldn’t believe it. I started to cry.” The 2010 Toyota Rav 4 adds beauty to her life and lets her children know there’s good in the world. And that’s what Mike’s Auto Body wants; to make every community just a little better.

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January 16, 2015

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Letter to the Editor

Page 5

Directory of Advertisers Automotive

P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517 TAMARA AND R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers TAMARA S TEINER , Editor P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design P EGGY S PEAR , Copy Editor J AY B EDECARRÉ, Sports PAMELA W IESENDANGER , Administration, Calendar Editor S TAFF W RITERS : Peggy Spear, Pam Wiesendanger, John Jackson, Jay Bedecarre

We remember Jill Bedecarré - Her spirit is our muse

PIONEER INFO CONTACT US

Tel: (925) 672-0500 Fax: (925) 672-6580 Tamara Steiner tamara@claytonpioneer.com Send ads to ads@claytonpioneer.com Send Sports News to sports@claytonpioneer.com Send Club News to clubnews@claytonpioneer.com Send School News to schoolnews@claytonpioneer.com

CLASSIFIEDS Classified rates per insertion: $48 for first 30 words, 40 cents each additional word Non-profit: $24 for first 30 words, 20 cents each additional word To place your classified ad over the phone, call the office at (925) 672-0500 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. All classifieds must be paid for in advance by credit card (Master Card or Visa) We will not accept any ad that discriminates on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, nationality, family status or disability. The Clayton Pioneer reserves the right to reject any advertising we believe is unsuitable. LET US KNOW Weddings, engagements, anniversaries, births and deaths all weave together as part of the fabric of our community. Please let us know of these important events. We ask only that the announcement be for a resident in our home delivery area. Submit on our website and be sure to attach a JPG photo that is at least 3 MB but not bigger than 6MB. You can also mail or bring your print to the office and we can scan it for you. Also on the website are forms for calendar items, events & press releases.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Both Pioneer newspapers welcome letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be 250 words or less and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will have priority. We may edit letters for length and clarity. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print anonymous letters. E-mail your letter to tamara@claytonpioneer.com. Letters must be submitted via Email. CIRCULATION as of Sept. 2014 Total circulation of the Clayton Pioneer is 5,500 to ZIP code 94517, all delivered by US Mail to homes, businesses and post office boxes. We cannot start or stop delivery to individual addresses. This must be done directly through the Post Office The Concord Pioneer is delivered monthly to 28,000 in Concord by carrier. Papers are delivered once a month on a Friday morning near the end of the month. To stop delivery for any reason, call the office at (925) 672-0500 or email circulation@claytonpioneer.com. If you are NOT receiving the Pioneer, please check the distribution map on the website. If you live in the shaded area and are not receiving the paper, please call us or send an email to circulation@claytonpioneer.com. If you are not in the shaded area, please be patient. We will come to your neighborhood soon. SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe, call the office at (925) 672-0500. Subscriptions are $35/year for each paper, $60/year for both.

Don’t trash Clayton Got your attention? Good – because fellow Claytonians, we have a serious problem, a trash problem and no neighborhood or street is immune. You see, I used to walk around town and fill my pockets with garbage. Now I walk around and fill trash bags (no exaggeration). Beer cans by the creek, candy wrappers on the trails, egg cartons, cigarette butts, Starbucks cups, fast food wrappers, Ziploc bags…you get the point. Ever been to the downtown park on a Friday afternoon

around 4? It’s a wasteland of trash everywhere even with plenty of garbage cans around to boot. What can you do? Pick it up. Yeah I know you don’t want to get your hands dirty, but we’ve all got to pitch in and make every day “Clayton Cleans up Day.” So tell your wife, tell your husband, tell your kids, tell your neighbor and pitch in. Thanks for making this town a better place to live (even if it’s one piece of trash at a time). Kevin Parker Clayton Resident

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Clayton seeking new planning commissioner Are you passionate about city planning? The City of Clayton is now accepting applications for a new member on the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission is comprised of five members appointed by the Clayton City Council, normally for two-year terms. The Planning Commission advises the city council on land use matters, including General Plan and zoning ordinance amendments. The commission also makes decisions on project development, site plan reviews, use permits, subdivisions, and variances. Planning Commission meetings are open to the public and its decisions can be appealed to the city council. The Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at Hoyer Hall at Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road. An applicant must be 18 years of age, a registered voter

and a resident of Clayton. Planning commissioners presently receive a monthly stipend $120. The open position is due to the election of commissioner Keith Haydon to the city council in last November's election. The position is due to expire June 15, 2015. An application may be obtained at Clayton City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail. Or you can request an application by mail by calling city offices at 925673-7300, or email jbrown@ci.clayton.ca.us. Applicants can also visit the city's website at www.ci.clayton.ca.us. Return a completed application to the city clerk by 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. Full city council interviews of applicants will be held at 5 p.m. Feb. 3, 2015, and are open to the public. The appointment of the successful candidate is expected to be made at the city council meeting on Feb. 3, 2015.

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Page 6

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Police officers are human, too

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As I enter my 29th year in the profession of law enforcement, I start 2015 with some reflection on the past year. 2014 was a difficult year to

be a cop. Nationwide 114 officers died in the line of duty. Sadly, California led the way with 14 duty-related deaths. Both these numbers reflect increases over 2013. Recently there have been several high profile incidents surrounding confrontations between officers and members of the public. Through the news media and social media outlets, these incidents have received much greater publicity than in any other time of my career. Much of that attention has been negative, and from my perspective, has clouded the outstanding service most officers provide on a daily basis.

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It's not every year that a local dog is named in the Guinness Book of World Records, but that's fine with Dogs4Diabetics and its founder, Clayton resident Mark Ruefenacht. Ruefenacht's canine “partner,” Armstrong, died in 2012, but not before being trained as the first dog in the world who could detect changing blood sugars in diabetics. While Armstrong may hold the record, Ruefenacht is also mentioned in the book. Ruefenacht and his team have trained more than 100 dogs in detecting changing sugar levels. D4D trains Medical-Alert Assistance Dogs on the lifethreatening condition of hypoglycemia in insulin-dependent diabetic children and adults. Its ultimate objective is to improve a client’s physical, mental and emotional health through the use of an Assistance Dog, Ruefenacht says. “Dogs4Diabetics is empowering people around the world, living with diabetes, to live relentlessly awesome lives in safety,” he says. In addition, Ruefenacht travels internationally to work with nonprofit organizations to assist

Being a police officer can be difficult. Life and death decisions are made in seconds, under tremendous pressure. Those same decisions are then judged for months in a courtroom and scrutinized by the media and advocacy groups, some having agendas they wish to advance. As those actions are being publicly judged and often severely criticized, we as a community expect the highest level of professionalism and dedicated service from our officers. The men and women who wear a badge and uniform are sworn to protect and serve. They are human, which means they are prone to the frailties of human behavior. From time to time officers, like all humans, make mistakes. This same human frailty allows officers to be compassionate, empathetic and caring. It is these traits that allow them to hug a grieving widow, comfort the frightened child, and risk their life for a perfect stranger. It’s interesting to me that people expect our police officers to be kind, caring and compassionate, but at the same time expect them to be perfect under the most difficult circumstances. These acts of kindness and heroism happen far more often than the rare and unfortunate

circumstances under which an officer is forced to take a life. Sometimes the positive acts are reported, sometimes they are not. Typically when you talk to the officers responsible for these positive acts, their response is “I was just doing my job.” Often they shy from any public attention. Our society is one based upon the rule of law. Without laws and rules, society will quickly devolve into chaos. It’s been said that “laws without enforcement are nothing more than good advice.” During the very best times, enforcing the law is difficult work. There is always room to debate tactics and the manner in which these laws and rules are enforced. Those discussions take place every day in a free society. But while we discuss and debate those items, let’s not forget that the daily act of enforcing the law and serving the public is carried out by men and women who are human. As we move into 2015, please join me in showing your respect and support for our police officers .

Chris Thorsen is Clayton’s chief of police. For questions and comments, call him at (925) 673-7350.

Creekside Arts 2015 MARK RUEFENACHT AND FRIENDS

in training for dogs to be placed in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, England, Holland, and Canada. Ruefenacht found out about the world record about six months ago, but only told a few people until the book was published. “I wanted to actually wait and see my name in print,” he says. To celebrate the actual publication of the world record in the new 2015 Guinness edition, Dogs4Diabetics is holding a celebration and open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 at its training facility, located at 1400 Willow Pass Court in Concord. The public is invited to attend. More details are available at www.Dogs4Diabetics.com and a new video is available online at www.D4D-ImAlive.org.

Police Activity Report Police Activity for two weeks ending Jan. 8, 2015 ACCIDENTS: Dec. 24, 11:37 a.m. Indian Wells Wy/Chupcan Pl.

Jan. 1, 12:29 a.m. Mountaire Pkwy. Jan. 8, 7:39 p.m. El Camino Dr.

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Call for artists, poets, musicians, authors, storytellers, environmental groups. The Clayton Community Library Foundation is seeking participants for its 12th annual Creekside Arts as the library celebrates its 20th anniversary. Join the library at this fundraising benefit and creatively explore the arts, culture and nature while supporting environmental education programs in the library’s certified creekside wildlife habitat. Art sales and interactive entertainment are planned for all ages, including workshops in visual and performing arts, cultural performances, storytelling and poetry. Authors, illustrators, musicians and environmental education groups attend. Guided nature, culture and art tours are sched-

ARRESTS: Dec. 19, 1500 Kirker Pass Rd. Possess Concentrated Cannabis; Possess Controlled Substance Paraphernalia; Use/Under Influence of Controlled Substance. 22-year-old Bay Point male. Dec. 19, Main St. Warrant. 55-year-old Clayton male.

uled throughout Clayton. Art entries are juried by a noted panel from local art businesses, gallery museums, writer's clubs, and the Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County. Awards, including a People’s Choice Award, are given. The event is held throughout the inside of the library, Community Room, adjoining outdoor courtyard and interpretive area in the certified wildlife habitat. Entry forms are available at the Clayton Library or go to claytonlibrary.org. Fee for entries; deadline is March 13. For more information, contact Arlene Kikkawa-Nielsen, event director, at 673-9777 or akiksen@aol.com. The event is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 27; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 and 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 29 at the Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. Admission is free.

Dec. 30, Oak St./Clayton View Ln. Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance; Probation Violation. 38-year-old Martinez male. Jan. 1, Center St./Diablo St. Driving While License Suspended for DUI. 23year-old Clayton male.

BURGLARIES/THEFTS:

Dec. 21, Clayton Rd./Kirker Pass Rd. Possession of Marijuana One Ounce or Less While Driving; Disorderly Conduct: Drugs or Drugs With Alcohol; Possess Narcotic Controlled Substance. 20-year-old Concord male.

Dec. 19, N. Mitchell Canyon Rd. Petty Theft.

Dec. 21, 1500 Kirker Pass Rd. Possess Controlled Substance; Possess Controlled Substance Paraphernalia; Probation Violation. 23-year-old Clayton male.

Dec. 20, Keller Ridge Dr. Petty Theft.

Dec. 27, Kirker Pass Rd./Olive Dr. DUI: Alcohol; DUI Alcohol Over .08%; Drive Without a License. 36-year-old Concord male.

Dec. 19, N. Mitchell Canyon Rd. Petty Theft. Dec. 20, Mt. Tamalpais Ct. Petty Theft. Dec. 20, Keller Ridge Dr. Petty Theft.

Dec. 20, Keller Ridge Dr. Petty Theft. Dec. 20, W. Myrick Ct. Grand Theft. Jan. 2, 5400 Clayton Rd. Petty Theft.

VANDALISMS: Jan. 6, Kenston Dr.

January 16, 2015

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 7

New year but CVCHS controversies continue JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

As 2014 turned into 2015, academics and athletics are soaring at Clayton Valley Charter High School but bad blood and tensions continue to run high at the board level, with no letup in sight. Raucous verbal exchanges and protests between audience, board members and staff marked the final two governing board meetings late last year. The rancor stems from an administrative blowup last spring which resulted in the firing of Pat Middendorf, eventual resignation of board chair Tom Branich and the Thanksgivingeve firing of IT Director Matt Rosso. Rosso was terminated that day for his actions after Middendorf ’s firing. Linzey instructed the IT director to secure and archive her school emails in anticipation of possible litigation but Rosso informed Middendorf and Branich before completing the task. Rosso was fired for what the executive director called “insubordination, unprofessional conduct, dishonesty and unfitness for service." Those supporting fired administrator Middendorf, one of the leaders of the successful charter conversion movement in 2011-12, are calling for the ouster of Executive Director Dave Linzey. They are making their case using social media, local blog Claycord.com and a Change.org petition. Over two dozen permanent faculty members voted no confidence in Linzey. Parents and community leaders who support the school board and CVCHS administration recently answered with sim-

ilar efforts, citing historically high test scores, an engaged student body, maximum WASC accreditation and the recent five-year charter reauthorization by the county. At the regular December board meeting there were about 50 people from the anti-Linzey camp dressed primarily in black and many carrying signs from the California Teachers Association lining the back of the school’s small gym behind the audience of community members, teachers and students. At that meeting, board members Ted Meriam and Megan Kommer were each re-elected to two-year terms by the board with teacher representatives Christine Reimer and Amber Lineweaver dissenting. Lineweaver is an outspoken Middendorf supporter who was urged to resign last fall by Meriam, Kommer and other board members after her actions were called out in an Oracle Investi-

gations Group report on the Middendorf firing and aftermath. Diane Bailey was returned to the board as the classified staff rep after her only challenger, Rosso, was fired and thus no longer on the ballot. Chemistry teacher Victoria Campbell was elected as a teacher representative by her fellow faculty members. She replaces Reimer, who chose not to run for the seat she had been appointed to last spring. Jim Killoran, a 26-year Chevron employee, was elected from a slate of four candidates for the one-year community memberat-large seat. ONE BOARD POSITION OPEN The retired teacher post remains unfilled, creating more controversy after incumbent Dick Ellis stepped aside as a candidate for a new term. The former teacher at the school faced a challenge from retired

school principal and teacher Bud Beemer, who was a student while Ellis taught at Clayton Valley. Some audience members verbally challenged Ellis at the Thanksgiving-eve special board meeting. Ellis said he dedicated three years to the board for “doing the right thing” and feels that “because of all of the things going on, I withdrew my application to run.” The night before the regular December meeting, outside counsel Paul Minney — after researching all board candidates — determined that Beemer was not eligible to sit on the board because of two apparent conflicts of interest. Beemer is the paid commissioner of the Bay Valley Athletic League, currently projected as the new home of Clayton Valley Charter athletic teams starting in 2016-17. He also has a “romantic relationship” with MDUSD School Board member Cheryl Hansen. The charter school rents its facilities from the district and thus there is the potential for a conflict, said Minney, who concluded “the appointment of Beemer…would create an impermissible conflict of interest and would constitute an incompatible office with his current office of Commissioner of the BVAL.” ELECTION COMMITTEE PLANNED

It is anticipated the board will appoint an election committee at this week’s Wednesday board meeting to identify candidate(s) for the retired teacher position so that it can be filled at the February board session, bringing the board to a full complement of nine members for the first time since Branich

resigned in September. This week the board also was to “reorganize” for 2015 by electing its chairperson and vice chair. Before the elections during the three-and-a-half hour December session Linzey made a statement defending his administration. He said that benefits and salaries have increased approximately 20 percent for all CVCHS teachers and certificated staff since turning into a charter — the largest increase in the county — and their new collective bargaining agreement has significant protections for teachers and staff. He stated that in the 30

months of Clayton Valley Charter an average of one percent of the staff has been disciplined and not a single tenured teacher or permanent classified staff member has been terminated by the board. Management staffers Middendorf and Rosso are the only permanent employees who have been fired. There were a number of outbursts from audience members, a couple of standing ovations for speakers and cries of “shame on you” when board actions didn’t meet with the approval of some audience members as the year ended on a contentious note.

DVMS holiday shoe drive a success DAVID MCNULTY DVMS Correspondent

It all started with the slogan, “If you don’t wear it, share it,” and it grew from there. A student from Diablo View leadership class was given the opportunity to create a new service project for the 2014 school year. As September rolled in, the shoe drive was born. As the school year progressed, students incorporated Mt. Diablo Elementary and the community into contributing to the shoe drive. Bags of shoes kept piling higher and higher until the goal

of 4000 pairs of shoes was reached. They were picked up on Dec. 19 by Edgar Hernandez, founder of Mission Atletica. There were many different choices of where to donate the shoes, but Mission Atletica stood out. The goal of this charity is to provide shoes for children who are in need in Guatemala. Diablo View’s Leadership class, facilitated by Mrs. Ruff, strives to change the world one service project at a time. It is their hope that the impact they create will empower others to join in and make the world a better and safer place to live.

Frida

Football team stacked with character, talent

DAVID LINZEY VOYAGE OF THE EAGLE As you probably know by now, our football team had a great season. The team went all the way to the state championship game in Carson before losing by one point to Redlands East Valley. Along the way, the team won another DVAL championship, won their second NCS title in the last three years, won the northern California playoff against a tough Oakdale team, and did it all while maintaining

well over a 3.0 GPA. The team’s success is also due in part to the incredible dedication and support they received from the CVCHS community, from Tim Murphy and his stellar coaching staff, to the marching band led by teacher Joseph Scott and cheerleaders led by Mary Ann Quinn and Alicia Farr, to the Blue Crew led by teacher Lisa Ihle, and to the parents, students and fans who came out to the games to support all the participants. We are all very proud of their accomplishments, but more importantly, we are proud of their character. After playing their hearts out in the championship game, both teams gathered together in the end zone and were led in prayer by one of our players, Sean Vaisima. The sight of both teams kneeling together, with coaches at their sides, was truly a remarkable inspiration to everyone who witnessed it and a fitting tribute to

a game well-played. After the game, we received a letter from one of the coaches at De La Salle, who played in the Open Division game right after we did. He writes: “Usually when you get an email on student behavior, it is a complaint. Let me state up front that this email is quite the opposite. I am an assistant football coach at De La Salle High School. Last night, at the CIF State Championships, my wife and two young sons were sitting in a section that fortunately, yes I said fortunately, was surrounded by Clayton Valley Charter football players. Despite having just come within a fumble of winning a state title, their behavior was impeccable and representative of the mature, thoughtful individuals I am sure they are at your institution. Unfortunately, also sitting next to my family was a rude, inebriated adult whose behavior was caustic and threatening; however, because of your stu-

dents, my family felt safe in a situation that would have otherwise been threatening if not for your students.” The coach went on to say, “First, I want to thank your students for watching out for my family. Second, congrats on a tremendous season, and finally, they should be commended on their behavior after a very trying situation. I know it is slight consolation, but if these young men continue to exhibit such mature, thoughtful behavior, life will afford them many more successes in their lives. Regards and with deep gratitude.” Win or lose, this speaks volumes of our leadership and character. Congratulations to our coaching staff, our teachers, and our administration on a job well done. But most of all, congratulations to our students. David Linzey is executive director of CVCHS. Contact him David.linzey@claytonvalley.org

Jan.

4-6 p 2 3 .m.

e Successfully “Helping Members Liv s.” in Their Own Home

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What you wish for may not be what you want Ever Davies is just a normal teenage girl, except for the fact that she is bullied at school for weighing more than 300 pounds and has a little voice in her head named Skinny that allows herself to hear what other people are saying about her in their heads. In ‘Skinny’ by Donna Cooner, Ever has heard pretty much every insult in the book between her stepsisters Lindsay and Briella, Kristen Rogers, Whitney Stone and Gigi Retodo. Ever got used to Skinny as

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the whole school, Ever got a wake up call. She needed to change. Not just to satisfy everyone around her, but to stop pretending her lifestyle is acceptable. So, her father made her an appointment with a gastric bypass surgeon which quickly led to the risky surgery. But the more weight Ever lost, the more notice she was getting, and for all the wrong reasons. Being thin was all Ever wanted, but she never knew how much it would cost her or how far peer pressure

would push her. But with the supportive help of her best friend, Theodore “Rat,” Ever slowly but surely recovers from depression and somewhere along the way, finds inner happiness. This book is absolutely incredible and Cooner does an excellent job at explaining the importance of staying strong, even when you have no reason to. Emily York is a sophomore at CVCHS.

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Station 11, from page 1 “It’s wonderful news,” Goetsch said. “It’s very welcome.” Station 11 was closed in early 2013, following the defeat of a bond measure the prior November that would have helped fund the financially strapped fire protection district. The recession and a steep decline in property taxes fueled the district’s money woes. The resulting budget cuts required shuttering seven fire stations across the county, including the only one in Clayton. It was not totally abandoned, however, as firefighters from Concord’s Station 22 in Crystyl Ranch staffed the station from 2 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. But thanks to an improving economy and a federal SAFER grant, Station 11 will be the first and only one of the closed station to reopen to full capacity, providing not only quicker response time for fires, but also for medical emergencies, which make up the bulk of the calls. Besides a cross-trained paramedic, Station 11 will also be equipped with a wild-land engine, which will allow it to respond to emergencies on the trails on and around Mt. Diablo, Goetsch said. The reopening of the station full-time is a victory for many local leaders, who tirelessly lobbied the fire district and the Board of Supervisors to bring Clayton’s staffing levels back up. Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, who fought for the bond measure and worked to keep staffing levels as strong as possible during the past two

years, was thrilled with the decision to reopen Station 11. “Reopening Fire Station 11 has been my highest priority during the recent recessionary times, and I look forward to joining the community to welcome it back at the celebration later this month,” the supervisor said. CELEBRATION ON JAN. 31 Indeed, the city of Clayton is welcoming back its fire station with open arms. A celebration and open house is planned for Jan. 31. “Things are happening fast,” said Clayton City Coun-

Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: Noon to 6 pm Wednesday & Thursday, Noon to 7 pm Friday, and Noon to 6 pm Saturday & Sunday. The primary caretaker must be present to adopt. ARF also encourages kids 16 and younger and canine family members (dog adoptions only) to be present during the adoption process. Would you like to be part of the heroic team that saves the lives of rescued dogs and cats? Can you share your talents to connect people and animals? ARF volunteers are making a difference! For more information see our website, www.arf.net, or call 925.256.1ARF.

cilman Jim Diaz, who like Mitchoff has lobbied hard for the station’s reopening. “We couldn’t be happier.” The celebration, which will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that Saturday, is being sponsored by the Clayton Business and Community Association, Republic Services and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 1230. The event will kick off with the fire district and local scouts Honor Guards raising the flag, followed by short remarks from local elected and other officials, followed by the open house and a barbecue. There will also be information on fire safety, bicycle safety, child fingerprinting, first aid/CPR, and information about Community Emergency

Mayor, from page 1 really not think about the enormous impact we are having on natural resources with our voracious consumption of goods and services? Shouldn’t we all be doing everything we can to recycle so that our children and their children still have natural resources left long after we are gone? Oh, those were rhetorical questions with the answers of “no” and “yes” respectively. For those that failed this test, shame on you, and for those that passed, bravo. Being government, we get lots of statistics and for November 2014 they showed residential curbside recycling continued its march above 50 percent, arriving at 52.82 percent. Commercial recycling plummeted to 11.48 percent, which drove the overall recycling mark for November to be 48.14 percent.

For calendar year 2014, we are now at 48.95 percent. As a community we can and must do better. We should be at 70 percent, not pushing 50 percent. Remember, your brown can should be bigger than your blue can. We can do this! Fire Front. After much angst and effort Clayton Fire Station No. 11 is set to re-open this month with full staffing. The district will be graduating its new fire class on Jan. 15 and will begin re-staffing our station beginning Jan. 16. We will then be having a Grand Re-Opening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 31. See front page story in this issue for details. Planning Commission Opening. There is a Planning Commission opening now that former commissioner Keith Haydon has ascended to a Clayton City

Response Teams (CERT). The event is open “to family and friends,” says Diaz, “basically anyone who wants to celebrate the reopening.” He is quick to congratulate others in the community who helped lobby the fire district and the Board of Supervisors, write letters of support, and provide other efforts to reopen the station, including the Ad Hoc Fire Services Committee made up of Candace Bass, Steve Chandler, Gary Hood, George Somoff and Herb Yonge. Station 11 is located at the corner of Clayton Road and Center Street in Clayton. Center Street immediately in front of the fire station will be closed to vehicular traffic during the event.

Council seat. If you are interested in doing some community service and helping keep Clayton great, applications are being accepted so go to the city website and put in your application. The city council will then interview all candidates and make an appointment at our first meeting in February. Also, remember that we also are always looking for volunteers for our Trails and Landscaping Committee, applications which can also be found on the City website: www.ci.clayton.ca.us. Happy New Year! In honor of our New Year’s resolutions, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could put ourselves in the dryer for ten minutes; come out wrinklefree and three sizes smaller?” On the other hand, “Chocolate comes from cocoa, which is a tree ... that makes it a plant which means ... chocolate is salad!” Email me at dshuey@ci.clayton.ca.us.

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Page 9

Does your home need a pre-nup? Q. We love our home but I can see that eventually we will sell it. I notice the continuing changes in our lifestyle. What are tips on things to be aware of in my house as time goes by? A. What you are asking reminds me of a pre-nuptial for homes. Before buying or selling a home you are focusing on the resale potential. You have the luxury of timing your sale before you are in a situation where you must sell quickly. Does your home have an incurable defect such as a busy location, too many stairs or a

there is less inventory to choose from. Differed maintenance will result in a lower sale price. To protect against that always keep your home well maintained.

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Q. My family is planning on selling our current house and buying another one. It’s hard to imagine all the move-out and move-in dates to come out right. This is causing me much stress. Please advise. A. Whenever I think about a sale of a home or purchase of one I always factor in a pos-

2015 Bocce League sign-ups on March 7 The Clayton Business & Community Association will be accepting sign-ups for the 2015 seasons of the Clayton Bocce League at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, at Skipolini’s Pizza in Clayton, with room for an additional 60 teams over 2014. CBCA will have a Spring season (tentative dates are March 29-July 12) and a Summer season

(tentative dates July 19-October 25). Days of play will be Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m., and Friday at 7 p.m. A total of 70 teams will be allowed for each season, or 140 teams total. Teams that played in the 2014 Summer league have been provided the opportunity to renew for the 2015 season. A team is at

least six persons and no more than 10. Individual signups will also be available and will be placed on teams on a space available basis. The March 7 sign-up day will be the only day for public sign-ups for the 2015 season. Complete information and forms are available at www.claytoncbca.org.

sible rent-back. That is when a home closes escrow but the sellers stay in the house as tenants. This can be a great negotiation tool. The cost of the renting back is negotiable, however the larger percentage of the time it is based on the buyers total payment on a perday basis. This includes principle, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI). If there is a homeowners association, that fee would be included as well. Sometimes if you are competing with others to get your bid accepted, you might offer a free rent-back period. Your realtor can analyze the move-in and move-out days including the rent-back periods on each leg of the purchase.

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Will dry and warm weather mark 2015? WOODY WHITLATCH WEATHER WORDS Weather records show that 2014 was an interesting year for the Clayton area in term of temperature, rainfall and storminess. For the first eleven months the continuing drought dominated most weather discussions. A very welcome series of wet winter storms during December brought some relief to the parched lands of Northern California. A review of weather data from the nearby Concord Airport station provides additional insight into last year’s weather at Clayton. Certainly, on a dayto-day basis, there are differences in temperature and rainfall between the airport and Clayton. However, the Concord Airport monthly weather summaries contain comparisons to 30-year normals (1981-2010). These statistics are representative of all of central Contra Costa County First, let’s look at temperature data. Last year was certainly warmer than normal. For 11 of 12 months in 2014 the average temperature was above normal at Concord Airport. For the other month, August, the monthly temperature was exactly normal.

In terms of monthly average temperature, the greatest departure from normal was +6.9 degrees in December. The warm nature of several of the December storms contributed greatly to the above normal monthly average temperature. There were a few impressive warm spells during the late winter and spring. As early as midMarch temperatures climbed into the 80s, and a hot spell at the end of April resulted in afternoon readings near 90 degrees. During May there were five days in the 90s, with a high of 96 reported on May 14. Although two of the three summer months showed average temperatures above normal there were only five days when temperatures reached the 100degree mark, three in June and two in late July. There were no 100-degree days during the months of August or September at Concord Airport which is somewhat unusual for late summer. Rainfall records show that January 2014 was dismally dry with just one-tenth of an inch reported during the entire month. A few storms crossed through the Bay Area in February resulting in the first abovenormal rainfall month since December 2012. Skimpy rainfall totals between March and November indicated that drought conditions worsened

as the year progressed. Then came December, and as if Mother Nature threw a switch, several wet and wild storms moved across the Pacific into the Bay Area between Dec. 1 and 20. Rainfall totals at Clayton’s Marsh Creek Fire Station were impressive, with nearly 10-and one-half inches reported during that period. Over one inch of rain was measured on five separate days with a whopping 3.5 inches reported on Dec. 11. The last 10 days of 2014 were dry, but not without some exciting weather. A powerful wind storm moved through our area on Dec. 30. Concord Airport reported a wind gust of 47 m.p.h., and gusts between 60 and 65 m.p.h. were recorded in the East Bay Hills. Locally, several large trees were uprooted as the winds took advantage of the drought-stressed vegetation. Clayton’s 2014 weather was unusual in terms of above normal temperatures and the December storms. Although the drought is not over, the recent rains were certainly welcome. Hopefully additional drought relief will be the top weather story of 2015. Woody Whitlatch is a meteorologist retired from PG&E. Email your questions or comments to clayton_909@yahoo.com

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

January 16, 2015

Sports One point separates Eagles football from state glory JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

“The kids gave it everything they had,” Clayton Valley Charter football coach Tim Murphy reflected on his team’s effort in last month’s CIF Division II State Bowl championship game where the Eagles came up just shy. A fumbled handoff as the team seemed poised to take a late-game lead and two failed placekicks spelled the difference in the 34-33 loss to Redlands East Valley at StubHub Center in Carson. Clayton Valley set school, league, section and state records while finishing with a 15-1 record that included five straight playoff victories before the heartbreaking defeat in the season finale. Murphy said the 2014 team’s wing gun offense gained 8,266 yards, the most yards in Diablo Valley Athletic League, North Coast Section and Northern California history and the highest California total ever in Division II. Runningback Miles Harrison carried the heaviest load all season and in the state championship game he ran 50 times from scrimmage. Unfortunately the last play called for him was botched at the Redlands threeyard line as quarterback Nate Keisel’s handoff to Harrison didn’t connect in the final five minutes as they seemed destined to give the Eagles a lead. It was CVCHS’s third turnover of the game and was the last time their potent offense touched the ball. Harrison gained 324 yards in

Photo by Gint Federas

CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER SENIOR CAPTAINS RYAN COOPER (2), ELIJAH BREON (46), CHANDLER WAKEFIELD (10) AND JAX CARTER (13) joined officials as they went out for the coin toss before the school’s first ever CIF State Bowl game at StubHub Center in Carson. The Eagles lost 34-33 to Redlands East Valley concluding an historic 15-1 season.

the bowl game, giving him 2,709 for the season. He had five teammates who each gained over 500 yards as part of the 7,051 rushing yards for the team, the most in America. The runners essentially averaged a first down a rush with a 9.7 yards per carry average. Keisel, a junior, quarterbacked the team adroitly during the season and threw for 20 TDs with a 64% completion rate and just two interceptions. The glossy offensive stats came despite the Eagles having a running clock in the second half of 11 games and the starters play-

ing only three full games (regular season against Concord and the regional and state bowl games). The three turnovers in the championship game with the late game fumble were all the more ironic when compared with 730 carries during the season and just seven lost fumbles (less than one turnover per 100 carries). The Eagles only punted four times the entire year. Murphy said that Redlands was by far the best team his Eagles faced this year with several future collegiate Division I players on their roster including

Oregon-bound Malik Lovette. The Wildcats were in CIF Division I just a year ago. He says his team may have been a little overhyped at the beginning of the game after traveling to Southern California by bus the day before (“It was a different deal [playing in the state championship game]”) but the Eagles led three times in the first half and then answered both Redlands TDs in the second half with scores of their own. “This was such a fun group to coach. We had many players contribute to the success this

season,” the headman added. CVCHS Executive Director Dave Linzey and athletic director Amber Lineweaver led a large contingent from Concord and Clayton to the bowl game. Linzey called the entire experience “historic” and “epic.” He said, “We consider the band and cheer squads part of the football program. They take so much personal time to practice and rehearse so it was a nobrainer that we would bring them to the bowl game. They had the time of their lives [despite the loss].” He added with pride that he

recently received a letter from a De La Salle coach who explained that he was sitting in the StubHub stands as the Spartans won their sixth state bowl title 63-42 over Centennial Corona. That game came right after the tough defeat for Clayton Valley. The DLS coach said an inebriated fan was harassing him, his wife and daughter. A group of CVCHS players were sitting nearby in the stands and they immediately came over and surrounded the DLS family for the remained of the game. In charge of Ugly Eagles football for three seasons, Murphy has guided his teams to a pair of NCS championships without losing a DVAL game, averaging 51 points an outing and punting only 14 times in 43 games (38-5). The team’s lowest offensive production was 311 yards against De La Salle in 2013 when the Spartans were No. 1 in the nation. Murphy notes that the wing gun offense his team uses is working for other programs as well. “Countless other schools have had tremendous success turning their program around and/or winning championships running it this season.” He cites Rensselaer Central High in Indiana which had 6,771 yards and won their school’s first state championship, Fyffe HS in Alabama going 16-0 to win their first state title and the Loveland Titans eighth grade team just outside of Denver going 10-1 with their only loss coming on ESPN in the youth football national championship.

CVCHS basketball teams both seek DVAL crowns JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

Clayton Valley Charter High School basketball had a new look on the sidelines last season when Paul Kommer began running the girls team and Eric Bamberger the boys. Making it even better both teams advanced to the North Coast Section playoffs, the girls as undefeated Diablo Valley Athletic League champions. This year the two coaches expect their teams to be competing for DVAL championships with high-scoring senior standouts leading each

squad. Hailey Pascoe, who has already committed to play Division I basketball next year at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, figures to be all-league for the fourth successive year while fellow league MVP Jon Allen is continuing to fill the net and clear the boards for the Eagle boys. The Eagles girls were ousted in the NCS and NorCal playoff semifinals last year after reaching the section championship game two of the previous three years. CVCHS boys got back into NCS last season before being eliminated in the opening

SENIOR CO-CAPTAIN MORGAN GIACOBAZZI (11) drives around Dublin’s Milan Moses (1) in a December pre-season game won 64-62 by the Gaels in Dan Della Gym. Giacobazzi is one of four Eagles averaging double figures scoring as they get into the DVAL schedule this month. They faced long-time rival Northgate earlier this week.

round by Maria Carrillo. Kommer’s team has four players in double figures entering the league portion of their schedule. The Eagles have only lost two league games in the past four years (both in the 2011-12 season) and carried a 30-game DVAL winning streak into this season. They are 9-5 entering this week’s play that started with a game against Northgate Tuesday. Seniors Morgan Giacobazzi, Katie Kommer and Sarah Williams are each averaging about 10 points a game while Pascoe leads the way with a 23.1 average. Giacobazzi, who has grabbed all-league honors the past two years, is the top assist person for the Eagles. Pascoe and Kommer are leading rebounders, although the Eagles spread the board work around. Head coach Kommer says that the Eagles played a “very competitive” non-league schedule. All of their defeats have come against teams who made the CIF state playoffs last year: Dublin, Miramonte, Brookside Christian, Lincoln of Stockton and Salesian. “MaxPreps has our strength of schedule as second highest in DI next to Berkeley.” On the plus side, the Lady Eagles beat Deer Valley for the first time ever. Freedom, Heritage and Santa Rosa also fell to CVCHS. The coach adds, “Our squad is working really hard and they are really supporting each other. The senior leadership has been outstanding. We are cautiously optimistic about our chances of making another nice run this year. We hope to compete again for another DVAL title but Concord, College Park and Northgate will all be competitive.” Freshman Kelly Osterkamp and sophomore Bridget Hyland have been getting big minutes as

Photos by Scott Anderson

SENIOR GUARD JACOB LUNSFORD (10) was honorable mention all-DVAL and Clayton Valley’s second leading scorer as a junior. Coach Eric Bamberger called him the team’s best defender as well.

they replace departed 2014 grads Kayla Taylor, Annemarie Del Bene and Kim Anderson. Also on the Lady Eagles varsity this year are Monica Diaz, Ashlyn Bartzi, Jordin Sinnot, Nerisa Yokoyama and Mikaela Keisel. Bamberger is in his 22nd year of high school coaching and expects his Eagles to be in “a three or four team race for

the league title with College Park and CVCHS the two favorites with Concord and Northgate right behind.” These might be considered bold expectations since the Eagles haven’t won a boys basketball league title since 1982. College Park has run up the best non-league record among DVAL teams. Allen and Pascoe were both

DVAL MVPs as juniors and have each picked right up with strong performances this year. Allen is averaging a double-double in points and rebounds. The Eagles are 7-7 as league play kicks into high gear. They have four games in six days this week. “We finished second in the Stampede Classic, losing to Riordan by seven points [in the finals]. Other than that we have won the games we should have and lost to teams that are very good. We have lost to De La Salle, St. Francis, Riordan, Fairfield, Antioch and McClymonds,” Bamberger explains. Guard Jacob Lunsford was honorable mention all-league and the second leading scorer on the team last year, as well as being “the best defender on the team. “ Postman Andrew Abbett started 11 games and played valuable minutes a year ago. James Dempsey was secondteam all-DVAL as a sophomore at Mt. Diablo last year and just became eligible this month as a transfer player. Freshman Garrett Pascoe and senior center D'Andre Jennings are newcomers hoping to fill the void from departed seniors Ryan Boyle, Austin Cannedy, Dom Clement and all-leaguer Alex Zavalla. The team got five players added from the Northern California champion CVCHS football team over the holidays as well. Juniors Luca Nomellini, Jake Peralta, Nate Keisel and Jamel Rosales along with senior NJ Foster are still getting their basketball legs after a grueling 16-game football season. The DVAL basketball schedule ends Feb. 17 with NCS teams selected Feb. 22 and section playoffs running Feb. 24 through Mar. 7.

January 16, 2015

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Sports

Clayton Valley Charter to appeal added year of NCS sports probation JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

Athlete Spotlight Jake Lynch Grade: Junior Sport: Wrestling Team: Clayton Valley Charter High School For more than a decade, wrestling has been teaching junior Jake Lynch courage, humility and valuable life lessons on and off the mat. He began his wrestling career at the Falcon Wrestling Club in Oakley and in middle school Lynch placed fifth in a state competition. At Clayton Valley he has been second at the DVAL tournament as a freshman and sophomore. When not

wrestling for the Eagles he competes for the Pleasant Hill Wrestling Club. He received the Bill Smith Award for exhibiting wrestling skill but also leadership ability. "He keeps things fun for everybody. He is a super kid, a good student, a good athlete and one of those kids that you like being around. He always has a smile ready for you, even if you're in the most dire situation," says coach Kyle Behmlander, who expects Lynch to at least make it to the second day at North Coast Section this year at 160 pounds. “I love the sport because it's insanely challenging and it pushes my body to do things I would never dream of doing without wrestling. It is as much a mental as a physical sport. You have to stay concentrated, motivated and

give it your all at all times,“ Lynch explains. CVCHS student journalist Celine Herrera contributed to this Spotlight. The Clayton Pioneer congratulates Jake and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@claytonpioneer.com.

In Beane we must trust TYLER LEHMAN SPORTS TALK Billy Beane is like a mad scientist. The man concocts and creates trades out of the air that at times make A’s fans want to smile and other times makes them want to cry. So far in this Major League Baseball offseason it feels like the latter, but there are some reasons to remain positive for the upcoming season. Josh Donaldson was the first major piece to be traded by Beane. All-Star Donaldson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for third basemen Brett Lawrie, pitchers Kendall Graveman and Sean Nolin as well as minor league shortstop Franklin Barreto. The initial reaction to this trade from experts and fans

Page 11

alike was, “What the heck is Billy Beane doing?” For a top caliber third basemen the Blue Jays didn’t even have to give up a top prospect. After trading away Donaldson, first basemen Brandon Moss, starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija and catcher Derek Norris soon followed suit in the A’s wholesale turnover of players. Moss was traded to the Cleveland Indians for second baseman Joey Wendle, a former sixth round draft pick by the Indians. At 24 he will most likely be ready to come up to the bigs and start as the A’s second baseman this year. Shortly after Moss was dealt, Samardzija and Michael Ynoa were sent to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for four players, one of those being shortstop Marcus Semien. He’s a promising young player who has some serious pop in his bat. After trading Samardzija, Beane still wasn’t finished. He dealt Derek Norris and minor

Sports Shorts IPSEN WINS 10TH NATIONAL DIVING CHAMPIONSHIP Clayton’s Kristian Ipsen rallied in the last two dives to win his firstever USA Diving one meter national championship last month in Columbus, Ohio at the Winter Nationals. The Stanford senior overcame Michael Hixson to take the gold medal, his 10th senior national title. Later at the meet Ipsen was fourth in the 3M. His one-meter victory landed him on the American team for the World Championships this year. He was also elected as an athlete representative for USA Diving.

CVCHS BOYS’ SOCCER POKER FUNDRAISER THIS FRIDAY Clayton Valley Charter High School boys soccer program is hosting its inaugural Poker Fundraiser this Friday, Jan. 16, at Centre Concord. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner with gaming starting at 7. Tickets can be purchased at the CVCHS webstore at $75 for dinner and gaming or $35 for dinner only. Tickets will be at will call Friday. For further information contact Tony Fuentes tfuentes2k@gmail.com or Monika Maytum monika_maytum@hotmail.com.

SARAH NELSON NAMED PACWEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK Dominican University of California’s Sarah Nelson has been named 2015’s first PacWest women’s basketball defensive player of the week. The award was selected for games played Dec. 29 - Jan. 4. Nelson earned her second weekly defensive honor after her performance in Dominican’s first-ever win over then first-place Academy of Art. The former Clayton Valley High player turned in a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds plus with six blocks. All 13 of her rebounds came on the defensive end. Nelson continues to lead the nation in blocks per game (5.3) and is tied for second in total blocks (53). Already the Penguins’ all-time leading rebounder and shot blocker in the Division II era, Nelson is averaging 11.0 rebounds and 5.3 blocks per game to go with her 12.3 points per game this season.

CVCHS BASEBALL HOSTS 3RD HOT STOVE DINNER FEB. 27 Clayton Valley Charter High School baseball coach Casey Coakley is hosting the third annual Hot Stove Dinner on Friday, Feb. 27. The evening’s festivities will whet the appetite of baseball fans, Clayton Valley alumni and current CVCHS families in the cold winter months before spring training starts again. There will be lots of baseball talk

league pitcher Seth Streich to the Padres in exchange for right handed pitchers Jesse Hahn and R.J. Alverez. So what do all these trades mean for the A’s? Beane is obviously looking to rebuild this team while still being competitive, similar to what he did before the 2012 season where he traded Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill and Andrew Baily. At that time many people thought the A’s were throwing in the towel. What happened? They won their division and went to the playoffs. This offseason has been business as usual for the A’s front office. Trade away players at a sell-high price and in the process stockpile young players. While Beane has made some questionable trades and signings during his tenure as the A’s general manager, it is hard not to respect the man for how he continuously puts a competitive product on the field. The A’s have still signed Billy Butler this offseason as well as

recently traded for Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar, which shows that 2015 is not just a rebuilding year for the A’s. Is it frustrating to see fan favorites constantly traded away? Absolutely, but baseball is a business and the A’s are a small market team. Oakland does not have the same luxury as a New York or LA based team does, with bucket loads of money to spend on players. When the A’s traded for minor leaguer Donaldson during 2008 he was considered a “nobody” and look what he became. Before the fan base attempts to burn Beane at the stake, let’s wait until the season and see what some of these newly-acquired A’s can do. Tyler Lehman is a junior at San Francisco State University and a 2012 CVHS graduate. He is majoring in print/online journalism and wants to be a sports writer. Email your comments or questions to tyler@claytonpioneer.com.

with guest speakers and former Eagle coaches and players who went on to college and professional careers. Door prizes, raffles and dinner all benefit CVCHS Baseball and its scholarship fund. The event is from 69:30 p.m. at Shadelands Civic Arts Center, 111 N. Wiget Ln. at Ygnacio Valley Rd. in Walnut Creek. For more information and to buy tickets at $40 each email coach Coakley at uglyeaglebaseball@gmail.com.

CV FALCON CHEER RAISING LAS VEGAS TRIP FUNDS

North Coast Section Commissioner Gil Lemmon issued a four-page letter placing Clayton Valley Charter High School on an additional year’s probation after the NCS eligibility committee met last fall concerning the denied transfers of three football players to Clayton Valley Charter for the 2014-15 school year. The school had earlier been placed on one-year probation for 2014-15 for all sports after the football team was adjudged to have practiced outside the allowed time period last June. The additional year means the Concord school is on probation through the end of the 2015-16 school year. Six football players applied for NCS waivers to play football in 2014 season after transferring to Clayton Valley Charter. Three were denied, having been ruled that their transfers violated “CIF and NCS rules, regulations or processes.” Lemmon enumerated of issues surrounding the transfers involving contact with player’s families and paperwork mistakes. The trio did not play during the past season when the Eagles went all the way to the CIF State Bowl championship game where they lost 34-33 to Redlands East Valley. Two of the three transfers, Ray Jackson and Aaron Murillo, are juniors this school year and will be eligible for the 2015 CVCHS football team. The third, highly-rated lineman Kahlil McKenzie who transferred from De La Salle, is a senior and one of the most highly sought after prep players in the nation. He is going to follow his father and uncle and play for the Tennessee Volunteers in the fall. He recently starred in the U.S. Army High School All-Star game at the Alamodome in San Antonio. School officials intend to appeal the additional NCS probation that runs through the

end of the 2016 spring season. Lemmon stated last week that he had not yet received a formal appeal from CVCHS. The rules violations concerning the three athletes included “undue influence and pre-enrollment contact.” One of the players had a relative on the Eagles football team and in another case head football coach Tim Murphy had email contact with a potential transfer’s parent. According to NCS rules, until a student has enrolled in a new school the only contact between the athlete and his family can be with the school principal (or at CVCHS, Executive Director Dave Linzey). If any other contact takes place it must be fully disclosed to NCS, which will determine if it was in violation of section bylaws. The probation for this and the next school year places all CVCHS sports on notice that any further violations of CIF and NCS eligibility rules, regulations and processes could result in loss of games, elimination from playoffs in a given sport (or all sports) or ultimately removal from NCS membership. It was reported that Lemmon has put at least four schools on probation in his seven years as commissioner. Since becoming a charter school in 2012-13 Clayton Valley has had more than the usual number of transfer student athletes (15) with four being denied eligibility due to the transfer being ruled for “athletic motivation.” During the past four school years the school has transitioned through three athletic directors (Pat Middendorf, Greg Fister and current AD Amber Lineweaver), which was cited as part of the issue concerning following all NCS regulations for transfers and the practice periods. The initial one-year probation due to the football team holding summer

See Probation, page 14

WINTER SOCCER ACADEMY OPEN THROUGH FEB. 19 Diablo FC 14th annual Winter Soccer Academy is being held on Mondays and Thursdays at Willow Pass Park in Concord through Feb. 19 from 5-6 p.m. The program is part of the San Jose Earthquakes Regional Development School and is open to boys and girls of all skill levels ages 5-11. Players receive an Earthquakes Academy t-shirt. For more information and to register visit diablofc.org or go to the next session.

Clayton Valley Falcons cheer is raising funds so 31 girls on two squads can travel to Las Vegas Jan. 24-25 to compete in the JAMZ Nationals. The girls qualified for Nationals at competitions during the regular season where they cheer for the Clayton Valley Falcons youth football teams. The Level 3 team will be defending their double national championships from last year. Each Falcons squad will be competing in show cheer and performance cheer. The girls are raising funds to cover insurance, competition registration fees and other expenses to compete. Anyone interested in donating should email claytonvalleyfalcons@gmail.com or visit cvaafalcons.com.

Registration and makeup tryouts for Clayton Valley Little League are set for the spring season. Baseball programs for players ages four to 14 and softball for girls four to 14 are both taking late registration for makeup tryouts on Saturday, Jan. 24, at Clayton Community Park. The CVLL program began in 1964 and includes a Challenger Division for players with physical and mental special needs. Players must reside within the CVLL boundaries. Go to cvll.org for complete inf and to register.

DANA HILLS SWIM TEAM REGISTRATION STARTS FEB. 28

DIABLO FC U9-U12 COMPETITIVE SOCCER TRYOUTS SUNDAY

Dana Hills Swim Team kicks off the 2015 summer swim season with a Registration Night on Friday, Feb. 27, from 6-9 p.m. at Dana Hills Cabana Club on Mountaire Parkway. Registration and swim season volunteer job preferences will be taken. The new DHST coaching staff will meet attendees and discuss the Otter program. New members will also be given the option to sign up for the team on a free, one-week “trial” basis. Online registration opens Saturday, Feb. 28. For additional info please visit danahillsotters.com.

Diablo FC tryouts for the 2015 season for under 9 through under 11 boys and girls competitive teams are Jan. 18, 22 and 25 in Concord. Tryouts for U12 girls and boys are Jan. 31 and Feb. 4 and 8. Older tryouts for U13-14 players will be held Feb. 15, 18 and 21. There is no charge to try out and players can pre-register today at diablofc.org. For more information on the club and tryouts contact director of coaching Brian Voltattorni at bvoltattorni@diablofc.org.

DIABLO FC FREE PLAYER EVALUATIONS JAN. 19 & FEB. 2

WINTER YOUTH VOLLEYBALL, SPRING PROGRAMS REGISTRATION OPEN AT ALL OUT SPORTS LEAGUES

Diablo FC competitive soccer program is hosting pre-tryout placements for under 9 through U14 age groups. The placement events are an opportunity for boys and girls to be evaluated for the upcoming season. Players from recreation, AYSO and competitive programs are invited to attend. For times and locations visit diablofc.org.

OAKHURST ORCAS COACH MILLAN TAKING SIGNUPS Oakhurst Orcas have announced the return of head coach Jasmine Millan for a fourth rec swim season. The Orcas are accepting mail or drop off registrations to Oakhurst Country Club. Meet and greet registration dates are coming in March and April. Early registration discounts are available until mid-March. Visit oakhurstorcas.com for more information or e-mail Millan at swimcoach@oakhurstcc.com.

CV LITTLE LEAGUE TAKING LATE PLAYER REGISTRATION, MAKEUP TRYOUTS JAN. 24

Spring leagues for youth basketball, tee ball and adult softball are now open for Clayton programs offered by All Out Sports Leagues. For information on All Out Sports programs, visit alloutsportsleague.com. DIABLO FC BENEFIT CRAB FEED FEB. 6 AT CENTRE CONCORD The 12th annual Diablo FC benefit crab feed and raffle is Friday, Feb. 6, at Centre Concord. Tickets are now on sale for the event that benefits programs for the local competitive youth soccer club affiliated with the San Jose Earthquakes. For the second year they are also having a Super Raffle in conjunction with the crab feed featuring a four-day shopping trip to New York City as the grand prize. Visit diablofc.org for more details and to purchase crab feed and raffle tickets.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

January 16, 2015

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Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. FEB. 4 FOR THE FEB. 13 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO calendar@claytonpioneer.com

IN CLAYTON Jan. 25 - 27 Auditions Clayton Theatre Company is holding auditions for “Arsenic and Old Lace” in April and “Urinetown” in October. No appointment necessary. Jan. 25 from 1 – 5 p.m. Jan. 26 from 7 – 10 p.m. Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. For more information, go to claytontheatrecompany.com, audition page.

Feb. 8 Camellia Tea Clayton Historical Society’s annual Camellia Tea and Open House. Camellia display and refreshments. Current and former mayors of Clayton will be honored by pouring tea. Children welcome with adults. 1 – 4 p.m. Clayton Museum, 6101 Main Street. Free. 672-0240.

IN CONCORD Tuesdays Farmers’ Market Tuesdays year round. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. cityofconcord.org.

3rd Sundays Antique Faire Antiques, collectibles, handmade arts and crafts. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Free admission. concordantiquefaire.com.

On Sale Now Concerts The Concord Pavilion is located at 2000 Kirker Pass Road, Concord. theconcordpavilion.com. Concert schedule for 2015: May 28, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, 7 p.m. July 21, 5 Seconds of Summer, 7 p.m. Aug. 7, Idina Menzel, 7 p.m.

Jan. 18 Open House Dogs4Diabetics hosts an open house to share their work with the community and celebrate founder Mark Ruefenacht being named in the “Guinness World Records 2015” book for training the world’s first dog to detect changing blood sugars in diabetics. 5 – 7 p.m. 1400 Willow Pass Court, Concord. dogs4diabetics.com.

Jan. 19 Open Rehearsal

CHURCHES AND RELIGION

Join Diablo Women’s Chorale. 7 p.m. St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. Contact Mary Sorenson to schedule informal audition: marysorenson2@gmail.com. diablowomenschorale.org.

Guest Jesse Saperstein: Author who writes of his life with Asperger’s Syndrome in an insightful, but lighthearted way. 7 p.m. Loma Vista Adult Center, Multi-Use Room, 1266 San Carlos Ave., Concord. Free admission; books available for $20 each. 685-7340, ext. 6721.

Jan. 27 Mayor’s Luncheon Mayor Tim Grayson presents his 2015 state-of-the-city address. 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Hilton Concord, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord. $55. concordchamber.com.

ON THE MOUNTAIN Mount Diablo Interpretive Association programs listed are free with the exception of park entrance fee. Go to mdia.org and click on Events Calendar for more information.

Jan. 18 Mushrooms, Fungus and Lichens

Presented by Ready or Not Improv. 8:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

Jan. 23 Concert Performed by Winds Across the Bay. 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $12. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

Jan. 23 – 24 “Teen Cinderella”

Beloved musical about a sunny orphan and her adventures presented by Poison Apple Productions’ newest branch, Apple Teens. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $12. lesherartscenter.org. 9437469.

Mystery presented as a staged reading. Ages 10 and up. Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. Free admission; donations accepted. All proceeds benefit Winter Nights Rotating Family Shelter. mduuc.org.

Jan. 30 – Feb. 14 “Mama Won’t Fly”

Jan. 31 Crab Feed

A Jones Hope Wooten comedy. Onstage Theatre at Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. 518-3277.

Jan. 30 – Feb. 28 “The Book Club Play”

Jan. 31 – Feb. 1 “Adventures of Alisa” Performed in Russian by Russian Drama Club Skazka. 4:45 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $17. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

Performed by the Young People’s Symphony Orchestra. 3 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Free tickets: 9437469.

Feb. 6 – 7 “Enticing Beauty” Performed by Diablo Ballet. Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. $24-$44. diabloballet.org.

Feb. 6 – 7 “The Great Divorce” Lost souls take a bus ride to heaven in this Dantesque celestial journey performed by Fellowship for the Performing Arts. Ages 13 and up. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $94. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

Feb. 6 – 22 “Godspell”

Feb. 8 Black Point Hike

Feb. 8 Concert

Performance by Jay Alexander. 8 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $25. elcampaniltheatre.com.

Jan. 17 UnderGround Improv First show ever. 7 p.m. Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. $8. campbelltheater.com.

Jan. 18 Whimsy and Virtuosity Presented by California Symphony. Pre-concert lecture 3 p.m. Concert 4 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $70. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

Jan. 28 The Art of Satsuki Bonsai Feb. 1 – 28 Reading is Our Thing Winter reading program. Read books and receive prizes. Pick up your reading record at the desk. Grades kindergarten through third.

Feb. 4 Emergency Preparedness CERT teaches hands-only CPR, plus use of an Automated External Defibrillator. 7 – 9 p.m.

Feb. 5 Healthy Heart Day Celebrate a healthy heart with fun aerobic activities, a craft and a snack. 4 p.m.

Feb. 9 Clayton Library Book Club Sunny Solomon leads discussion of “The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion” by Fannie Flagg. Open to anyone who wants to join. 7 p.m. The Concord Library is at 2900 Salvio St. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at ccclib.org or 646-5455.

Jan. 22 Author Event Dr. Gordon Frankie discusses his book “California Bees and Blooms: A Guide for Gardeners and Naturalists.” 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 24 Covered California Workshop

An American in Paris (and Other Travels) performed by Diablo Symphony Orchestra. 2 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $12-$28. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

Feb. 13 – 15 “Candide” Eccentric characters journey around the world in search of the meaning of life performed by Lamplighters Music Theater. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $25-$54. lamplighters.org.

Feb. 15 “Bull in a China Shop” Madcap goings-on presented by Vagabond Players. 2 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $10-$15. elcampaniltheatre.com.

Performance by Timothy James. Suitable for ages 5 and up. 2 p.m. Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. $10. 350-9770.

AT THE LIBRARY The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at claytonlibrary.org or call 673-0659.

A demonstration and talk with Rick Garcia. 6:30 p.m.

The spirit and song of the 1960s starring William Florian. 2 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $25-$27. elcampaniltheatre.com.

Jan. 17 Magician and Mentalist

St. Agnes School and St. Agnes Knights of Columbus host this crab feed to raise funds for the Parent Association and programs for the students. 5:30 p.m. Garaventa Center, Carondelet High School, 1133 Winton Drive, Concord. $55. Tickets available until Jan. 19 at the school or parish offices, 3886 Chestnut Ave., Concord. For questions or tickets, contact Danielle Grimesey at 330-7317 or danisffd@sbcglobal.net.

A comedy about books and people who love them. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $33-$58. centerrep.org.

Hike up Donner Canyon to Mount Diablo’s waterfalls. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at Regency Drive, Clayton. Reservations required: mtdiablohiker@gmail.com.

Jan. 17 Illusionist

Jan. 16 Poker Night

Jan. 23, 25 “An Inspector Calls”

Feb. 7 Those Were the Days

Walnut Creek Chorus is looking for all voices. Wide selection of music. Small placement audition. Two concerts a year, plus some sing outs. 7 – 9 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 2317 Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek. walnutcreekchorus@gmail.com.

Veterans of Foreign Wars serve breakfast to the public: Eggs, pancakes, sausage, beverage. 8 – 11 a.m. VFW Post 1525, 2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord. $5, $3 children under 12. vfwpost1525.org.

Jan. 24 – 25 “Annie Jr.”

Jan. 18 Waterfall/Natural History Hike

Mondays Chorus Practice

2nd and 4th Sundays Pancake Breakfast

Presented by Civic Arts Education Junior Theatre. Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. $16.75. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

See the fascinating colors and shapes of some local fungi. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Summit Audio Visual Room.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FUNDRAISERS

All proceeds benefit Clayton Valley Charter High School’s men’s soccer program. Ages 21 and up. 5:30 p.m. Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road, Concord. $35 dinner; $75 dinner and gaming. claytonvalleysoccer.com.

Masterful retelling of the Gospel According to St. Matthew presented by OMG I Love that Show Productions. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $35. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

Hike up White Canyon to summit of Black Point before returning to trailhead. 1 – 4:30 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Trailhead.

Performed by classical guitarist Glenn Staller. 7:30 p.m. Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. $15. cvpresby.org.

Jan. 23 Cattywampus!

Feb. 1 Concert

Jan. 21 Author Event

Jan. 24 Concert

SCHOOLS Jan. 24 Bella Notte: A Night at the Opera Concert by Clayton Valley Charter High School Choirs. Dinner, auction. 6 p.m. CVCHS Multi-Use Room, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord. $25. Respond by Jan. 16: elizabeth.emigh@claytonvalley.org.

Jan. 30 – Feb. 15 “The Taming of the Shrew” Shakespeare’s outrageous comedy. Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. $16-$21. dvcdrama.net.

Feb. 7 E-Waste Recycling Drop off electronic waste first Saturday of the month, except holidays. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Diablo Valley College, overflow lot 7, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. Free. noewaste.com.

Enrollment and questions/answers. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Jan. 26 Financial Education Workshop Organizing your financial records. First of nine financial workshops Concord Library is having in partnership with Travis Credit Union. 6 p.m. in English; 7:30 p.m. in Spanish. Registration recommended.

Jan. 27 Book Talking Librarian Lynne Noone talks about current books and some oldies, but goodies. Some books available for check out. Meeting at Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord. 1 p.m. Registration required: concordreg.org; reference class 97086.

Jan. 31 eResources at Your Library Come learn about new and updated digital lending services available through the library. 10:30 a.m. Registration required.

GOVERNMENT 1st and 3rd Tuesdays Clayton City Council 7 p.m. Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.

2nd and 4th Tuesdays Clayton Planning Commission 7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.

Meeting dates and times for local clubs and organizations are listed at claytonpioneer.com. Click on ‘Links’

January 16, 2015

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 13

This year, make your home reflect your style JENNIFER LEISCHER

apart and rebuild it. Sometimes our homes are messy, sometimes organized, but always lived-in. Our homes are a reflection of “us.” So, what does your home say about you?

DESIGN & DÉCOR

FABULOUS, FROM THE

It’s true that there’s no place like home. From your comfy mattress and bed linens, to your favorite spot on the family room sofa, and of course the secret snack drawer that’s filled with candy and popcorn, we love our homes. It’s where we can kick up our feet and rest, test a new recipe in the kitchen, or entertain friends and family. We paint it, decorate it, and sometimes tear it

Design is not just about what’s on the inside of your home, but also what is seen as you approach the residence. While an architectural facelift consisting of stone accents, a new stamped-concrete driveway or an updated color scheme for your home may not be in your design budget, consider budget friendly decorative touches that display your personality. It could be a matter of

OUTSIDE IN

finally removing those Juniper bushes and replacing with airy grasses or adding a chic monogrammed entry matt instead of the matt that sheds prickly fibers. Try an eye-catching set of house numbers, a decorative collection of terracotta urns with fluffy greenery, or painting your grey cement front porch a bright and cheerful color that coordinates with your existing exterior paint colors. Find an exterior element that you can work with, and embellish, to make the exterior of your home just as fabulous as what is found on the inside. ECLECTIC AND COLLECTED I love the collected look: fur-

Movie Review

‘Unbroken’ a searing look at POW survivor JEFF MELLINGER

SCREEN SHOTS Based on a true story, Angelina Jolie’s “Unbroken” tells the harrowing story of Olympic runner- turned -Prisoner of War Louis Zamperini. Lead actor Jack O’Connell does a marvelous job selling the pain and suffering Zamperini endured in over two years of captivity. However, Jolie’s decision to limit the bulk of the story to Zamperini’s experiences at the Japanese work camps life keeps us from ever truly getting to know the man. The opening of the film puts us into a B-24 bomber as Zamperini and his crew prepare to drop bombs over a Japaneseoccupied island. Jolie captures the suspense brilliantly but breaks up the scene with flashbacks to Zamperini as a troubled Italian youth. Although some of the motivational dialogue is heavy handed, the flashbacks work well enough to set up his journey from rapscallion to Olympic runner. What Jolie leaves out is the seven years between the 1936 Olympics and the bombing mission. From what we see onscreen in the flashbacks, it does not seem like there was enough in Zamperini’s life up through his Olympic performance to adequately prepare him to survive his horrendous experiences during the war. Were there lessons learned in his running career at USC, subsequent military training after his 1941 enlist-

Jack O’Connell in ‘Unbroken.’

ment or early war experiences that gave him what he needed to survive? An argument could be made that it was his time adrift at sea in a raft that best prepared Zamperini for his captivity. Soon after the bombing mission, his crew is given a new assignment and their plane crashes. Zamperini and the other survivors, played more than capably by Domhnall Gleeson and Finn Wittrock, subsist on captured fish and rainwater for almost 50 days. It is here that “Unbroken” is at its best. Jolie puts us in the other raft and we experience the shark attacks, the hunger and the sun damage along with the survivors. O’Connell keeps the other men awake and hopeful with his stories of home and his upbeat attitude. Eventually, a Japanese ship finds them and they are taken into a P.O.W. camp. The commander of the camp is Watanabe (played by Miyavi), an angry, emasculated soldier who singles out Zamperini from day

one for constant punishment. The amount and severity of the beatings Zamperini endures is horrific and almost hard to watch at times. Jolie quite literally hammers home the hardships with scene after scene of Zamperini’s torture at the hands of Watanabe. We are given only the slimmest of glimpses into the 70 years of his life post-war. Perhaps by trimming down the number of scenes at the camp and giving the audience a larger glimpse into Zamperini’s life before and after the war, we could have truly learned how be remained unbroken. B Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer and film buff. He holds a BA in Film Studies and an MFA in film production. He lives in Concord. Email comments to editor@concordpioneer.com.

Jeff’s Top Ten Movie Picks for 2014 Interstellar Guardians of the Galaxy Boyhood Grand Budapest Hotel Gone Girl Theory of Everything Captain America: The Winter Soldier Lone Survivor Unbroken Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

nishings that came from here and there, this retail store and that, and maybe even something handed down from Aunt Betty. The home retail catalogues that make us drool with their perfectly put-together vignettes are beautiful, not doubt about it, but instead of taking the easy way out, search for furnishings that tell your story. Do you prefer a sleek, modern, low to the floor sofa with chrome accents? Or are you more of a 42-inch deep, down filled, chenille upholstered sofa type? Both descriptions are perfect for whichever design category you fall within. Be conscious of the pieces you are coordinating with these two different looks. Yes, be eclectic, but also be aware that a sleek chrome and glass accent table may not always coordinate best with a whitewashed oak wing back chair in a needlepoint upholstery. IS THAT THE RIGHT COLOR? What colors do you have in your home? Are you more inclined to paint all of your walls ivory, and let your furniture have all the fun with color? Or, is every wall in your home a different color, paired with furnishings that are just as wild?

Again, either design direction is completely acceptable for whichever design category you fall within. Always consider the bigger picture and of course, the longevity of your color choices. Paint can always be edited, but installed granite, in a kitchen that costs several thou-

sands of dollars, you might want take some quite time to ponder this decision. Jennifer Leischer is the owner of J. Designs Interior Design based in Clayton. Contact her with questions, comments and suggestions at jenna@j-designs.com.

New Year... new merchandise... shipments arriving daily.

925-672-2025 1028 Diablo St., Clayton, CA Visit us on Facebook

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Probation, from page 11 practice in early June after CVCHS had concluded its 2013-14 school year but days before NCS competition had ended for that school year. Lemmon also mentioned in his letter that Linzey told Diablo Valley Athletic League commissioner Craig Lee that the school’s enrollment would not exceed 1999, keeping the football program in Division II. Clayton Valley has been in that football division for many years with an enrollment that has hovered just under 2000 for an extended period of time. Lemmon said that institutions should only be making enrollment size decisions for academic rather than athletic reasons. Ironically, Linzey and Middendorf clashed a year ago

when the executive director approached the CVCHS governing board about expanding the charter to about 2500 students based on the interest from parents getting their children into the school and thus creating an extensive waiting list since the school converted to charter. Lemmon has instructed CVCHS that during the probation period the school will work with NCS and DVAL leadership to make sure there is a full understanding and compliance with eligibility rules. The CVCHS coaching and school staffs are to be informed all of applicable processes toensure they perform within NCS and CIF guidelines.

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January 16, 2015

Performing Arts

Annual Shellies celebrate the nutty world of local theater SALLY HOGARTY

STAGE STRUCK One of the biggest events of the year for local theater folk takes place on Jan. 17 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts. It’s the 36th annual Shellie Awards, where performers, designers and producers get together to applaud the diversity of theater in Contra Costa County. Created by Scott Denison in 1979, the event honors more than 120 individuals and theater companies in musical and nonmusical productions that took place between Sept. 1 and Aug. 31. At one time, more than 15 companies competed, but with financial woes forcing some companies to close their doors, this year’s competition features 11 groups. I’ve been attending the Shellie Awards for more than 30 years, sometimes as a nominee but primarily as a journalist and presenter. The biggest change I’ve seen happened when the Lesher Center for the Arts replaced the Old Nuthouse. Many groups performing at the venue increased their budgets and produced more elaborate productions in keeping with the elegant new space. While this has resulted in some spectacular shows, it has also created an unbalanced awards ceremony. Now, a musi-

In this Belle Epoque comedy, ‘The Ladies Man’ literally spins out of control and will leave the audience dizzy with zany joy. ‘Ladies Man’ opens Jan 30 at the Village Theatre in Danville.

cal with a modest budget of $5,000 competes against a musical with a budget of $250,000. I have no idea who judges the Shellie Awards or how they arrive at their decisions, but somehow they manage to sprinkle the awards among both large and small companies most years. I’ve learned that it’s best not to focus on who wins and who doesn’t but rather to celebrate the wonderful contributions all the companies have made to live

theater. And to celebrate the endearing friendships created along the way. After all, everyone involved in theater is already a winner — whether they bring home a Shellie Award or not. Once the Shellies are over, a plethora of productions begin, including the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church (MDUUC) Uniplayers’ present “An Inspector Calls.” Proceeds from the staged reading benefit the Winter Nights program,

which provides temporary shelter for homeless families. Performances takes place at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 and at 3 p.m. Jan. 25. at 55 Eckley Lane in Walnut Creek. Call 925-934-3135 or go to www.mduuc.org. A feisty mother who refuses to fly to her son’s wedding because of her acrophobia keeps the laughs coming in Onstage Theatre’s “Mama Won’t Fly.” Full of crazy characters and a chaotic road trip, the show runs Jan. 30 – Feb. 14 at the Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward Street, in Martinez. Call 925-518-3277. Secrets are not only revealed but also caught on tape as a local book club finds itself the next project of a famous Danish filmmaker in Center REP’s “The Book Club Play,” running Jan. 30 – Feb. 28 at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Call 925-943SHOW or go to www.lesherartscenter.org. One innocent little lie cascades into a convoluted web of deceptions for Dr. Hecule Molineaux and his new wife in Role Player Ensemble’s production of “The Ladies Man.” Set in Paris, the hilarious comedy runs Jan. 30 – Feb. 5 at the Village Theatre, 233 Front Street, in Danville. Call 925-314-3400 or visit the website at www.roleplayersensemble.com. Sally Hogarty is well known around the Bay Area as a newspaper columnist, theatre critic and working actress. She is also the editor of the Orinda News. Send comments to sallyhogarty@gmail.com

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“Bella Notte: A Night at the Opera” is a benefit Italian dinner and concert to be held on Saturday, Jan. 24, as Clayton Valley Charter High School choral students prepare for a national competition in Washington D.C. at the end of March. “Bella Notte” will include a three-course meal (salad, pasta, and dessert bar) accompanied by a concert of Italian favorites. The program will include works by Puccini, Andrea Bocelli and Mozart, as well as some Renaissance madrigals. Modern hits include “Bella Notte” from Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp,” as well as “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” by Billy Joel. During the Washington trip, students will be representing

their school, city and state against choral groups from across the country at the Worldstrides Heritage Festival. Competing groups include the award-winning CVCHS Show

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January 16, 2015

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

‘Book Club’ is stranger than fiction

When friends start reading between the lines, anything can happen in Center Rep’s “The Book Club Play.” (L-R) Rebecca Schweitzer, Kathryn Han and Gabe Marin.

What if your book club was being filmed for a documentary by a famous Danish filmmaker? How would you behave? That’s the scintillating set up of “The Book Club Play,” in which secrets are not only revealed, they’re caught on tape in Center REPertory Company’s hilarious new comedy about books, the people who love them, and what can happen when friends start reading between the lines.

Sprinkled with wit, joy and novels galore – from “Jane Eyre” and “Moby Dick” to “Twilight” and “The DaVinci Code” – this is a buoyant satire of a contemporary culture that loves a good book as much as a juicy show, and a testament to the joy of reading. Written by Karen Zacarías and directed by Becca Wolff, the play stars Khalia Davis, Kathryn Han, Gabriel Marin,

Rebecca Schweitzer, Liam Vincent and Alonso Yabar. Performances, which will be held at the Lesher Center for the Arts at 1601 Civic Drive in downtown Walnut Creek, begin Jan. 30 and run through Feb. 28. Tickets are $33 to $58 and are available at CenterREP.org or by calling 925-943-SHOW (7469). They are also available at the LCA Ticket Office at 1601 Civic Drive or the Ticket Office Outlets at Barnes & Noble in Walnut Creek and the downtown Walnut Creek Library. Center REP is proud to announce its new “First Look” program, thanking U.S. Military personnel and U.S. veterans and active college students. All twoyear and four-year college students, faculty and staff with a school ID or any active military or veterans with appropriate ID can purchase a pair of $15 tickets to any Center REP preview performance. Present ID at the Ticket office window to receive discount. The offer is subject to availability and is limited to two tickets.

Page 15

CTC general auditions Jan 25-27 It’s time again for local aspiring and seasoned actors to join the local theater company. General auditions for the Clayton Theatre Company will be Sunday, Jan. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 26 from 7 to 10 p.m. Call backs will be Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. No appointment is necessary. Auditions are open for actors age 16 and up. Actors are asked to prepare a twominute monologue. Those who want to be considered for the fall musical should prepare 32 bars of a musical theater song that demonstrates vocal strength and range. Bring sheet music in the appropriate key, and an accompanist will be provided. No recorded music or a cappella will be allowed. Actors are also asked to provide a head shot and resume. Download the

audition form on the audition page at claytontheatrecompany.com. Rehearsals for “Arsenic and Old Lace” begin in late February, 2015. Rehearsals are Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and Saturday days. All roles are open. A stipend for expenses is available. Clayton Theatre Company is committed to non-traditional casting. All are encouraged to audition. Auditions will be in January for the fall 2015 show, “Urinetown.” Rehearsals will begin the last week in August and the show will run in mid-October. Join the CTC mailing list to stay informed about the company’s special events and future auditions. There is also a Facebook page for information and special ticket offers.

Diablo Ballet presents an ‘Enticing Beauty’ Diablo Ballet’s 21st Season continues with “Enticing Beauty,” Feb. 6-7, at the Del Valle Theatre in Walnut Creek. The performances, which place the audience within close proximity of the stage, feature live music and an interactive question-and-answer session with the dancers, hosted by local celebrity moderators. A reception following the performance allows audience members to interact more with the performers. “Enticing Beauty” features a wide range of both classical and contemporary works, including a world premiere by Canadian choreographer Sonya Delwaide, set to the music of Hungarian composer Ernõ Dohnányi’s “Serenade for String Trio” and

the playful “Harlequinade Pas de Deux” by George Balanchine. There will be other works by Christopher Wheeldon and Robert Dekkers. Performances for “Enticing Beauty” are at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, and at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb.7, at Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Boulevard, Walnut Creek. Purchase tickets online at www.LesherArtsCenter.org or by calling 925-943-7469.

Photo by Aris Bernales

Rosselyn Ramirez and Derek Sakakura perform in George Balanchine’s “Harlequinade Pas de Deux.”

MDUUC presents acclaimed ‘An Inspector Calls’ in staged reading The Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist church will bring to life J. B. Priestley’s time-honored play “An Inspector Calls,” about the disparity between the haves and have-nots. While written in the 1940s and set at the turn of the 20th century, the play is extremely relevant today. The church is presenting the staged reading in association with Winter Nights Rotating Family Shelter program. The production will be directed by Michael French and features Jackson Brody, Sylvia Burboeck, Donald Cairns, Mark Jordan, Stu Klitsner, Aki Rasmussen and Jean Wilcox.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23 and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25 in Bortin Hall, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. “An Inspector Calls” is suitable for children 10 and older. Child care for younger children may be arranged by contacting childcare@mduuc.org. For more information about “An Inspector Calls,” please contact Jean Wilcox at 927-6524 or jdwilcox@sbcglobal.net. For directions to MDUUC, visit mduuc.org. Admission is free but voluntary donations to Winter Nights are appreciated. Checks should be made out to MDUUC with

Captain Grammar Pants To WREST (German, “twist”) is to take something out of someone’s hands (or possession). You can wrest a cookie from my grasp, though it will likely crumble before you can get your teeth into it. To WRESTLE (German, “twist”) has the same root, but its development through Old English has led it down a different path. Rather than simply meaning “take,” wrestle now means to engage in physical combat or difficult decision making. You and I may wrestle about fewer vs. less items at the grocer’s, but I will object strongly if you wrest my personal copy of The Chicago Manual of Style from my hands Sean Williams is a professor of ethnomusicology at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash. She is currently working on a Captain Grammar Pants book. Follow her regular postings on Facebook.

Winter Nights in the memo line. Funds will be divided equally between MDUUC Winter Nights and the Winter Nights Rotating Family Shelter. Winter Nights is a project of the Social Justice Alliance of the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County. The program provides a clean, safe and warm facility at night, as well as daytime services with a full staff, during winter for homeless families with children. More than 50 faith communities participate in this program, which serves up to 30 persons at any given time.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

January 16, 2015

Prune properly and feed well to keep them rosy NICOLE HACKETT

GARDEN GIRL It’s almost time to prune your rose bushes, groundcovers and trees. Each year between Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine’s Day I set out to prune the roses at the nursery. Some folks’ weekly maintenance workers have already pruned down the roses, if that’s the case, check on the job they did and fine-tune if needed. Rose pruning is easy. Seriously, an annually pruned rose should take five minutes to prune. Each year, as I approach a rose to prune, I always look right to the bottom of the plant. I don’t worry about all the buds, blooms or leaves still left on the bush, I look towards the bottom and begin there. A well-pruned hybrid tea, grandiflora or floribunda rose should have five nice, straight, clean canes without any leaves once you’ve fin-

CUT

TOO HIGH

CUT

ished. If you have fewer, or more, don’t worry its will be fine. The object of pruning is to remove most of the past year’s growth, all the crossing canes, and lateral branches. Remove all gray canes. You may have to use a cordless saw to get through thick wood. Don’t worry how thick the canes are, you won’t hurt the rose at all. Make all your cuts at a slight angle, right before a swelling of growth. If you look closely at a rose cane before you make the cut, you’ll see a seam with a swell. This is where the rose wants to grow from. I don’t tell people how many inches of cane to leave of a rose. It really depends on the amount of room you have for you rose to grow. If you have limited space, then cut further, if you like your roses tall then don’t cut down as far. Rose trees should be pruned the same way as the floribunda, hybrid tea, or grandiflora. Remove old canes, crossing branches and lateral branches. With rose trees, leave more canes on the plant so they’ll look

TOO LOW

CORRECT

CUT

fuller. Groundcover roses don’t get the same amount of attention. I reshape the groundcover roses, bringing them down and in. If the groundcover roses that I am pruning have grown crazy, it’ll be severally pruned. With a newer installation, the pruning will be lighter. ROSE RECIPE Fertilizing roses is very important. We have been sharing this recipe for more than a decade. This recipe is for established ground grown hybrid tea, grandiflora, floribunda or treeshaped roses. Each rose is to receive: ½ cup 16-16-16 Fertilizer ½ cup bone meal ½ cup Granular Iron ½ cup Alfalfa Meal 2 Tbsp. Epsom Salt Work into soil along drip line and top-dress with a couple inches of chicken manure and water in. This year, add a layer of gypsum to the topdressing. This may sound like a lot of products, but imagine how deep the root are of your rose. Don’t premix a batch of products. There is a reason for each ingredient and the quantity. The 1616-16 is a multi-purpose fertilizer. The bone meal is a source of phosphorus, and will encourage bloom, granular iron is applied to keep your rose leaves green and free of chlorosis. Alfalfa Meal will stimulate new cane growth. Epson Salts are used to intensify flower color. Container roses get half a dose of each product. Groundcover roses are only given the multi-purpose fertilizer and iron. Apply this “rose recipe” now

aphids, no beneficial insects. Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. Contact her with questions or comments at Gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com

Dig deep to stay healthy in 2015 DEBRA J. MORRIS Pacific Coast Farmers Market

It’s a fresh new year and the farmers’ market is the best place to find healthy, nutritious and delicious foods to help you on your path to eating right this year. In Michael Pollan’s books, “In Defense of Food” and “Food Rules,” he offers a simple solution to eating locally and eating healthy, a good way to start the New Year. He says, “Eat Food, mostly plants, and not too much.” Eat Real Food: Avoid processed foods, those with ingredients that are unpronounceable. Don’t eat foods pretending to be something they’re not like “imitation cheese,” and, to put it bluntly, eat only those foods that will eventually rot, not those so processed with preservatives that they will be around through the next Ice Age. Eat Mostly Plants: Eat a variety of locally grown and colorful fruits and vegetables. Eat animals that have themselves eaten mostly plants. And eat sweet foods that you find in nature because these come with nature’s natural fiber. Don’t Eat Too Much: He says

it’s better to pay more for quality products and eat less. Measure your food by taste and quality rather than quantity. These products have more nutritional value as well as more flavor. Eating less and eating fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, and other local products will satisfy you without adding the pounds. ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES 2 carrots 2 potatoes 2 small onions or one large onion, peeled 2 beets, peeled 2 parsnips

Chopped fresh herbs Drizzle olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Clean vegetables. Do not peel vegetables unless stated – a significant amount of nutrition is in the peel. Cut in uniform chunks so vegetables cook at the same rate. Toss in a large bowl with salt, pepper, a drizzle of olive oil, and minced garlic if you like. Mix in some fresh chopped herbs like parsley, chives, and rosemary. Spread on a foil-lined baking sheet. Cover with another piece of foil and roast for 45 minutes. Happy Healthy New Year!

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